Say's Phoebe

 November 21, 2021

There were many reports of the Say's Phobe at Trail Road, so we thought we should return for a chance for better photos than we had gotten when out with Jane's group.  So we went about 11 am and found a perched Red-tailed Hawk at the corner of Moodie. It was backlit and flew as we prepared to try for a photo.

We drove along Trail Road and saw a couple of other cars with birders looking for the phoebe, the same as us.  Nobody was having any luck, so after a couple of passes, we went to Moodie Pit.  Other than 3 Common Mergansers, there was nothing much there either. So we headed home for lunch.  As soon as we got there, we received an RBA that the Say's Phoebe was seen on Trail Road. Our bad luck!

We decided to stay home, but another RBA at 2:15 got our attention.  Off we went for the 12 minute drive.  When we arrived, we could see cameras up, so we hurried over to the fence.  The Say's Phoebe was very active, flying back and forth and perching on the poles.

When a Northern Harrier flew over, the Say's Phoebe vanished from sight, and was not refound.   We walked back and forth on the road looking for it unsuccessfully. The light was fading, and the sky was really interesting.

We decided to go, but as we started the car, the harrier came back and put on quite a show for us.